Review of UCA Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice begins
This major review - the first in 16 years - provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen the ethical foundations and ministry practices that support the life of the Uniting Church
September 17, 2025
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
The Assembly is pleased to announce that a comprehensive review of the Uniting Church in Australia’s Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice is now underway – the first major review since 2009.
Rev Jenny Byrnes has been appointed as Consultant to lead the review. With 42 years of vocational experience in the Uniting Church, her theological depth, leadership experience and practical insight will be invaluable throughout the process.
In this role, Jenny reports to the Assembly’s General Secretary, Andrew Johnson, and is supported by a Reference Group comprising representatives from each Synod and the Standards for Ministries Committee.
“By drawing on diverse voices from across the Church, the Reference Group will help to ensure that the review is both theologically grounded and practically relevant,” Jenny said.
“They will play a crucial advisory role providing theological reflection on the Code’s function within Church life, offering feedback on how it is currently applied, and assessing how it responds to evolving legal, ethical and social expectations.”
Jenny commenced her work with the Assembly earlier this month and has already begun developing an initial survey. The aim is to distribute the ready survey to the Pastoral Relations Committee (PRC) of every Presbytery by the end of October.
“The survey will be open for between six to eight months to ensure PRCs have sufficient time to provide details on where they see gaps in the current Code of Ethics, where there are difficulties and where it needs strengthening,” Jenny added.
“This process is a vital opportunity to strengthen the ethical foundations and ministry practices that support the life of the Church.”
While the release date for a revised Code has not yet been finalised, the Assembly anticipates it will be published in the second half of 2026. Further updates will be shared as the review progresses.

Rev Jenny Byrnes
More news from the Assembly
Season of Creation 2025 celebrated
Season of Creation 2025 celebrated Each year from 1 September to 6 October, the Season of Creation is commemorated by Christians around the world. In our own Uniting Church, congregations and communities have been so in styleThe Season of Creation has drawn to a close for another year, and across the Uniting Church, communities came…
2026 Calendar of Dates
2026 Assembly Calendar of Dates Official Uniting Church commemorations, key liturgical dates, ecumenical dates and events, social and cultural celebrations On this page you will find the 2026 dates for the key days we mark together as a national Uniting Church, events held around the Uniting Church that are open to all, key liturgical…
2025-2026 Uniting Church Lectionary
2025-2026 Uniting Church Lectionary available now The Assembly has released the 2025-2026 Uniting Church Lectionary (Year A), a key resource for preaching and worship leading in the ‘Year of Matthew’The 2025-2026 Uniting Church Lectionary is now available to download from the Assembly, and available to order from Wayzgoose, the online store for Uniting Church resources.…
Uniting Church welcomes Archbishop of Canterbury appointment
The Uniting Church celebrates with joy the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli extends warmest congratulations to the Church of England and the The Rt Rev Sarah Mullally, announced today the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury A Statement on the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate Rev…
Celebrating Older Persons Sunday 2025
Celebrating Older Persons Sunday 2025 2025 is the fourth year the Uniting Church will mark an annual occasion to celebrate and reflect on the human rights and contributions of older peopleUniting Church communities across Australia are invited to mark the fourth annual Older Persons Sunday during October. Established by the Uniting Church Assembly in 2022,…
Seventh anniversary of the National Apology
Marking 7 years of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse The Assembly has released a liturgy and a statement from President Rev Charissa Suli to mark the AnniversaryOn 22 October 2018, former Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison MP delivered an historic National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child…
Embracing a new future together: General Secretary
Embracing a new future together Amid promise and pain, the Assembly’s General Secretary is calling on Uniting Church members to embrace deep, systemic change and live out our faith together by Andrew Johnson, Assembly General Secretary A little over a year ago I stood on the floor of the Assembly in Session to accept the…
Threads of Love Across Nations: A President’s Reflection
Threads of Love Across Nations: A President’s Reflection Rev Charissa Suli has penned this reflection following the recent dual celebration of Australian-Tongan diplomacyby Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia This past week has been one of the most significant and deeply moving experiences of my ministry. As a Tongan Australian serving…